Bhupathi pulls out due to injury, Leander prefers Doha

Chennai, Dec 25 (UNI) There's more bad news for tennis buffs looking forward for another edition of the ATP World Tour Chennai Open 2007 to be held from January 1 to 7 with the other Indian star Mahesh Bhupathi deciding not to play here. Bhupathi has pulled out due to injury.

Leander Paes had announced yesterday that he would be playing in the Doha edition to kick off the new year on the Tour.

The event managers confirmed that close on the heels of Leander, Bhupathi has also decided not to play in Chennai.

It was in India's first ATP International Series Tennis Tournament here, which has now entered its 12th year that Leander and Mahesh had risen to great heights as a formidable doubles pair. They went on to win the Grand Slams after three doubles titles in a rown in Chennai in 1997, '98 and '99. They clinched another title here in the 2002 edition.

Both had also competed in Chennai in the singles main draw but with little success. However, Leander managed to reach the quarter finals in 1998.

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